The first Russian-engined version of the Antonov An-38, the -200, began flight-testing last month at the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO) plant in Novosibirsk, Siberia.
The 27-seat twin turboprop differs from the earlier An-38-100 model in that it is equipped with OMKB TVD-20-03 engines, which drive Stupino AV-36M propellers instead of Hartzell Propellers and Honeywell TPE-331GR-801E engines.
According to NAPO, the switch to Russian engines, which offer similar performance to the TPE331, allows unit price to be cut from $4.4 million to $3 million.
The maiden flight lasted 40min. The first stage of the 11 December test trials is aimed at securing certification in the middle of this year to Russian AP-25 airworthiness requirements, which are harmonised with US Federal Aviation Administration FAR Part 25. The TVD-20 was certificated last February and is already in service on the Antonov An-3, a turboprop conversion of the single-engined An-2 biplane. India is seen as a potential market for the An-38-200, and both -100 and -200 versions are also being offered to Malaysia and Vietnam.
Deputy general director for marketing at NAPO Eugeny Elgayev says that two independent Indian airlines are interested in the aircraft. Antonov and NAPO are seeking to obtain Indian certification for the An-38 by means of the recently agreed bilateral aviation agreement. The -200 prototype is equipped with a traffic alert and collision avoidance system, which is mandatory for flights in Indian airspace.
Source: Flight International
